Originally a motorcycle manufacturer, Honda started making cars with a certain volume in 1962, but generally speaking the models they produced were meant for domestic Japanese consumption, by design if not by intent. What they needed was a car they could mass produce, cheaply, and that would have appeal beyond its borders. The result was the 1972 Honda Civic, a car that was nothing short of revolutionary, but that would only become apparent in the years following its introduction. In short, the Honda Civic was a well designed, and extremely well-built little car, refined and comfortable and thanks to its monocoque construction and all-around independent suspension, it was fun to drive, too.
The Civic was fitted with a small, light-alloy four cylinder engine, with a displacement of 1.2-liters, producing 80 horsepower. While this doesn’t sound like much, it was enough: the Civic could reach a top speed of 88 miles per hour, and accelerate to 60 in about 14 seconds. Honda took full advantage of their background in motorcycle design and manufacture to produce an engine that was both light, powerful and easy to rev, making for an entertaining drive in what was essentially a small city car.
Needless to say, the introduction of the 1972 Honda Civic had a profound impact not only on Honda, which saw its position as a global manufacturer confirmed practically overnight, but on the automotive industry as a whole. It showed the world that a small car meant for city driving need not be boring or poorly built, and we can all thank Honda for that!